Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-05-03

4
served dead level of responsibility, and still
deader level OF mediocrity. From the time
Of Charles II till the beginning of the present
century they were merchants. About 1890
my grandfather made considerable fortune
out of brewing, and retired In 1921 he died.
! and my father succeeded him and dissipated
most of the money. Ten years ago he died
MISC. leaving me a net income of about e., 900
/ a year. Then 1t was that | undertook an ex-
pedition in connection with that and he
! Iointed to the iron chest, (which ended dis
sstrously enough. On my way back trav-
eled in the south of Europe. and finally
reached Athens There met my beloved
wife, who might well also have been called
the Beautiful like my old Greek ancestor.
There l married her, and there, year after
ward, she diedn
He paused awhile, his head sank upon his
bend, and then continued
HMy marriage had diverted me from a
project which / cannot enter into now. l
have no time Holly-I have no timel One
day, il you accept my trust, you will learn oil
about it. After my wife's death turned my
mind to it again. But first it was necessary,
or at least conceived that 1t was necessary,
that should attain TO perfect knowledge of
eastern dialects, especially Arabic. 1t was to
facilitate my studies that came here. Very
soon, however, my disease developed itself,
and now there is an end Of me-" And as
though TO emphasize his words, he burst into
another terrible fit of coughing.
Igave him some more whisky, and, after
resting, he went on;
"Ihave never seen my boy, Leo, since he
was q tiny baby. never could see him, but
they tell me that he is quick and handsome
child In this envelope" and he produced
letter from his pocket addressed TO himself,
~ have jotted down the course wish fol-
lowed in the boys education. 1t is a some
what peculiar one. at any rate, could not
intrust it to a stranger. Once more, will you
undertake itp
II must first know whit l am to under
talKe,n answered.
"You are to undertake to have the boy,
Leo, to live with you till he Is IS years of age
not TO send him to school, remember. On
his 25th birthday your guardianship will end,
and you will then, with the keys give you
now" land he placed them on the table, "open
the iron box, and let him see and read the con-
tents, and say whether or no he is willing to
undertake the quest There is no obligation
on him to do so. Now, as regards terms.
My present income is e2,20O year. Half Of
that income have secured to you by will for
life, contingently on your undertaking the
guardianship is, 81 900 year remuner-
ntion TO yourself, for you will have to give up
your life to it, and e100 year TO pay for the
board of the boy. The rest Is to accumulate
till Leo is 25, so that there may be n sum in
hand should he wish to undertake the quest
of which spoke"
aAnd suppose were to der / asked
"Then the boy must become a ward of
chancery and take his chances. Only be care
full that the iron chest is passed on TO him by
your will Listen, Holly, don't refuse me.
Believe me, this is to your advantage. You
are not fit to mix with the world--it would
only embitter you. In few weeks you will
become fellow of your college, and the in
come that you will derive from that, COM
bined with what / have left you, viii enable
you to live life Of learned leisure, alternated
with the sport of which you are so fond, such
as will exactly suit you"
He paused, and looked at me anxiously, but
still hesitatsd. The charge seemed so very
strange.
HFor my sake, Holly. We have been good
friends, and have no time to make other
arrangements"
every well,n 1 said, II will do it, provided
there is nothing in this paper to make me
change my mind" and touched the en-
velope he had put upon the table by the keys
"Thank you, Holly, thank you. There Is
nothing at ALL Swear to me by God that
| you will be father to tho boy. and follow
my directions to the letter"
u swear it," answered solemnly.
avery well; remember that perhaps one
day shall ask for the account CT your oath,
for though am dead and forgotten, yet shall
live. There is no such think as death,
Holly, only change; and as you may per-
haps learn in time to come, l believe that
even here that change could under certain
circumstances, be indefinitely postponed"
and here again lie broke into one of his dread
full fits of coughing
"There,n he said, ~ must CO. You have
the chest and my will will be found among
my papers, under the authority OF which tho
child will be handed over to you. You will
be well paid, Holly, and know that you are
honest; but II you betray my trust, by heaven
will haunt your
said nothing, being too bewildered to
speak
Ao ne" w .no eoiiuie, anu iooAeu Nv n,'
own race IN tne glass. IL mad been Deautl.
iui lace pue disease hau wrecked IT, rooe
for the worms" he said, "Curious to think
that in q few hours shall be stin and cold
tue journey done, the little game played OUT.
An me- holiyi ire Is not worth tne trouble Of
me, except when one Is IN ioVe-at least inine
mas not peen; Dut the boy leos may DC IL ne
mas tne courage and the iaith. Good-oy, my
iilendT and with sudden access OF tender
ness ne hung his arm about me ana Kissed me
On Tue iorehead, ana then turned 20 60
., LOOK mere, Vincey'" l said, III you are as
III as you think, you had better let me fetch
uV %Mn NJ. 80. a,,.....,..- 49,.
Al, 'o, nv, ne sa'I' earnestly. froiliso IN, ,,ie
.Da' YOU WON'T am gong 70 uie, anu iA'
p ~ sau Ia', ! wish 70 uie alone.
.,., aon' Sen n lna1 you are gong 7" ~
nlly .n,ns oi me SORT, l answereu. ilo
,l i, anu wi.n 'ne WORD NItenemper Oh